The Jaguars, who went into the NFL Draft looking for a wide receiver and a pass rusher, ended up with both in the first two rounds.

After trading up two spots in the first round the previous night to get wide receiver Justin Blackmon, they stayed in the sixth spot in the second round Friday night and defensive end Andre Branch of Clemson fell to them.

The Jaguars then pulled a major surprise in the third round, selecting punter Bryan Anger of Cal. He’s the highest punter taken since the Chicago Bears chose Todd Sauerbrun in the second round in 1995.

Jaguars general manager Gene Smith compared Anger to Shane Lechler of the Oakland Raiders, the best punter in the game, although he was drafted in the fifth round in 2000.

Smith indicated they selected Anger with the sixth pick of the third round after players they coveted were selected in front of them. He might have been referring to cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson of Montana, who went to Rams with the second pick of the third round, and Josh Robinson of UCF, who went to the Vikings with the next selection.

“He’s a difference maker when it comes to punting,’’ coach Mike Mularkey said of Anger.

Branch, who had 10 1/2 sacks last season, is likely to be plugged in as a starting defensive end with Jeremy Mincey at the other end.

Branch has played more on the right side, so Mincey, who can play either side, may be switched to left end. Defensive line coach coach Joe Cullen said they will determine where Branch is more comfortable.

“There are a lot of things about him I liked,’’ Cullen said. “He had a great motor. He was relentless. He played hard.’’

Cullen said Branch’s high school coach, Gary Chilcoat, called him the toughest player he ever coached.

Though the Jaguars filled needs with their first two picks, Terry McDonough, the team’s director of player personnel, said the team didn’t reach for either player.

“Usually when that happens (a reach) in my history in the league, it doesn’t work out very well. It didn’t happen here,’’ McDonough said.

He said the Jaguars traded up for Blackmon on Thursday night because, “we clearly saw Blackmon as value at the top of our draft board.’’

The second round was different. The Jaguars looked at the five teams in front of them and figured none were going to take Branch.

“We had a feeling our player would be there,’’ McDonough said, who later added, “It’s no secret that we need a guy that can rush the passer.’’

Branch says he’s confident he can make an immediate contribution.

“I feel like I can’t be blocked one on one,’’ he said after the Jaguars’ selection.

“That’s what the thing is, who’s will is better. I feel like one on one I can’t be blocked and with that mentality I know I can’t be stopped.’’

He said that Cullen told him the Jaguars needed a pass rusher.

“I know I’m a great pass rusher so I knew I’m a great fit for him,’’ Branch said.

Of his self-confidence, he said,

“At the end of the day, I know who I am as a player and a person. It’s not cocky at all, just confident.’’

Anger had a net average of 39.7 yards last year and a gross of 44.2.

He’s also good at angling punts - 90 of his 255 punts were downed inside the 20 and opposing punt returners called for a fair catch 75 times.

“He has a tremendous history as a punter at Cal,’’ Smith said.

Anger said he was surprised to be selected in the third round. When asked if he knew the Jaguars liked him, he said, “I didn’t know they liked me that much.’’

Anger knows incumbent punter Nick Harris, who also played at Cal, and will likely replace him.

The Jaguars lost punter Adam Podlesh last year when he signed a free agent contract with Chicago. They replaced him with Matt Turk but he struggled and was cut and signed Harris as a stopgap measure.

Kicker Josh Scobee was designated as the Jaguars’ franchise player, but hasn’t signed the franchise tag and wants a new deal.

Gators only graduated five starters this year -- there are few to even consider drafting. They've had a number of good underclassmen go pro in the last few years, so this class simply doesn't have much too left to offer.

Jeff Demps is running in the Olympics, so he's not worth looking at until the last round. Chris Rainey & Jaye Howard have potential, but they're late rounders at best. John Brantley & DeonteThompson are not NFL caliber period.

The draft numbers will pick up the next two years -- there is a lot of young talent on the 2012 UF team.

Well,I was excited the first day. But as the draft moves on, it feels like Groundhog Day all over again. Thanks Gene Smith. I bet old smiling Jack is laughing his you know what off at Gene Smith after that 3rd round pick. A punter REALLY !!!!!! Ughhhhhhhhhh !!!!!!! And you blew the next round by not picking a Offensive Lineman. Well you folks trust in Gene. I just cannot see what anyone thinks that this guy is an awesome GM. The NFL network and ESPN thinks this guy is a joke.